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The original target date for the season restart was June 12 but that looks set be pushed back by one week after talks with club captains and Professional Footballers’ Association and the Premier League last week.

Premier League bosses also feel that if clubs go back to training this week that resuming training on June 12 does not give them enough time as they need a full pre-season.

The hope remains that the Premier League can finish by August to fall into line with UEFA’s 'concrete plan' to complete domestic seasons in time for the Champions League final to be played on August 29.

Key Events

So what next?

Whilst a clear format is yet to be agreed on how to finish the remaining 92 matches of the campaign, Premier League clubs have agreed for their players to return to training this week.

This is the first major breakthrough for Project Restart after weeks of discussions and several setbacks after opposition from select Premier League clubs.

14:41KEY EVENT

Burnley plans

Burnley plan to return to training this week, players tested for coronavirus over weekend. Full details here

Burnley's Barnfield training centre (Image: Lancs Live)

14:33Alex James

Training plan approved

Here's a statement from the Premier League

Premier League Shareholders today voted unanimously to return to small group training from tomorrow afternoon – the first step towards restarting the Premier League, when safe to do so.

Step One of the Return to Training Protocol enables squads to train while maintaining social distancing. Contact training is not yet permitted

This first stage has been agreed in consultation with players, managers, Premier League club doctors, independent experts and the Government. Strict medical protocols of the highest standard will ensure everyone returns to training in the safest environment possible.

The health and wellbeing of all participants is the Premier League’s priority, and the safe return to training is a step-by-step process.

Full consultation will now continue with players, managers, clubs, the PFA and LMA as protocols for full-contact training are developed.

13:37Alex James

Bundesliga example

Here's what we learned from the weekend of top flight action in Germany as the Premier League prepares to try and get back up and running.

13:10Alex James

Raheem Sterling

Manchester City and England star Raheem Sterling thinks the start of the Premier League season will need to be pushed back from the provisional June 12 date, something that seems likely to happen.

Here's what the forward had to say on the issue

“They are saying games started by June 12. You can’t come back in with one-and-a-half or two weeks (of training). You’d need a full four to five weeks, especially if you’re going to go back into competition.

“You’re not playing friendlies, you’re playing to win. It’s going to count for something. You do need to do that preparation definitely - you can’t just go straight in.

“I know the clubs are in talks and doing their best to try and find the best resolution for this. But we’ve had a few meetings cancelled, even on Zoom, to talk about the restart so we just have to wait and see.”

MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - MARCH 12: Manchester City's Raheem Sterling in action during training at Manchester City Football Academy on March 12, 2020 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Tom Flathers/Manchester City FC via Getty Images) (Image: 2020 Manchester City FC)

12:37Alex James

Players are 'nervous'

Former England international goalkeeper Rob Green has been giving his views on a potential return to training for Premier League players and says some footballers will be nervous about resuming.

It’s a difficult one for the players, they have been thrust into the limelight again by the government making a decision off the back of limited information

A lot of them are nervous, it’s much like the calls you have been getting on teachers returning to school.

I’ve spoken to some guys who are itching to get back to training.

Regarding training for Premier League clubs, the space and facilities they have won’t be the issue, it’s a controlled environment but it’s closeness either in the dressing room or on the pitch - things like who touches the football will be concerning etc.

12:10Alex James

La Liga latest

Over in Spain training will soon be able to be done in groups of up to 10 from tomorrow with the aim to start La Liga next month

Here's what league president Javier Tebas said

The start of the next phase in La Liga’s Return to Training protocol is another step towards the restarting of the competition.

"It will be good to be able to set all training routines on an equal footing. It’s very important that every club have the same chance to be in good shape.

It’s not essential, but it’s very important and we’re grateful that it will be like that.

11:32Alex James

Premier League season time frame

The Premier League are prepared to extend the season to the end of August to complete the current campaign.

League bosses originally targeted a date in July to finish the season, but a report fromSportsMail suggests they are now preparing to delay that date to August 22.

According to the report, the Premier League want to insert a series of delay buffers into Project Restart plans to ensure the season is still finished in the event of complications.

With players being tested twice a week beginning last weekend, League chiefs are aware of the likelihood of delays should players test positive.

And with that in mind, contingencies are now being put in place to make sure, even if the season is delayed again, it can be finished.

To allow for any complications, August 22 is now being set as a date to complete the season, seven days before UEFA are hoping to play the Champions League final.

11:00Alex James

Access all areas

Reports suggest that fans who tune in to Premier League football as and when it returns will have access all areas should Sky Sports and BT Sport get their way.

According to the Mail, the broadcasters want a camera in the changing rooms and tunnel, audio feed from the dug-outs that can be broadcast live and half time interviews with players or managers from both sides.

10:31Alex James

Wenger verdict

Former Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger has given his verdict on the resumption of top flight football.

The medical reason got us confined, the financial reason got us to play again.

But it is still a better solution than to decide not to play at all and decide on what it is because it is unfair to some teams who have not played the stronger teams, or some teams have already played all the strong teams.

It's an unfair position for some clubs.

10:03Alex James

Matches on free to air TV

Culture Secretary Oliver Dowden appeared on BBC Breakfast this morning and said there could be matches shown live on free to air TV if and when the Premier League returns given that not fans will be allowed into the stadiums

We would look to give that green light if we can because it would be a good thing to do if we can," he said.

I’m also looking at increasing the number of matches that could be free-to-air so people wouldn’t be tempted to leave their homes to watch it which is clearly an important consideration.

"There is a rule at the moment that at 3pm you can’t show matches on (free-to-air) TV because people were watching it in the football stadiums.

Clearly that’s not going to be the case anymore so some of those slots may be available for free to air, so we’re looking to see if we could do that as part of the wider broadcasting package.

09:32Alex James

Testing

Premier League clubs will carry out 1,000 coronavirus tests this week.

Players and staff across all 20 of the top-flight clubs will be tested at least twice a week with the first of the tests taking place this weekend.

The process is the start of a plan to get players back onto the grass with clubs set to vote on whether to implement phase one of the return to training plan today.

08:59Alex James

On the agenda

The 20 clubs will take the first major steps this week on Project Restart by voting for a return to training.

However, Premier League bosses are already bracing themselves for potential delays and problems along the way, with enough time set aside in the timetable that they can overcome setbacks, report The Mirror.

That's because managers, such as Jose Mourinho, have called for more time to be allowed to get their players back up to speed after a near three-month lay-off, by the time the season resumes.

(Image: Getty Images)

08:47Alex James

Good morning

Another day another meeting.

The Premier League clubs reconvene this morning to discuss Project Restart and getting top flight football under way again.